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issue
15
october 1999
Smithfield
Site Update
The consultation process: the summary of comments made at the consultation
workshops has now been presented to developers Ician and their response
has been received. NQA members will receive a copy along with this bulletin.
Probably the most important issue raised by the workshops was the need
for ongoing consultation throughout the life of the development. Ician
propose a number of approaches to fulfil this need: monthly meetings
will continue between NQA and Ician, and prior to submission of subsequent
planning applications, special meetings will be held, specific to the
site being developed. Phase One: A planning application has been put
in for building on the Craft Centre carpark. This will include a residential
block of 35 shared ownership housing association flats and managed office/studio
space, connecting to Manchester Craft & Design Centre. A planning application
will be submitted shortly for the refurbishment of Market Buildings
and the construction of two 'bookend' commercial/residential blocks
behind the Old Fish Market facade, with a covered 'market' are (no confirmed
use exists at present).
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to top
No
more rain in the Mackie Mayor
The roof of the Mackie Mayor building [ former Meat Market] on
Swan Street has now been made watertight. Ician have reiterated their
commitment to maximising the use of the building. A rental fee will
be charged, although this may be waived if the project is of sufficient
merit. Ician are looking to encourage a range of events in the building.
If you are considering the building as a venue, contact: David Pelham
at Amec Developments on 877 3400.
The
Pineapple
Refurbishment and transformation of Binks Building at 30/32 Thomas
St is nearing completion. For the month of October the ground floor
plays host to a photographic and paintingexhibition as part of Mart
99, but meanwhile, Hemisphere and Gyroscope will be unpacking their
tea chests upstairs. The building has been named after William Binks,
the name that first appeared on the land registry specifically for 30-32
Thomas St in 1861; the current building was built as a warehouse around
1890. The tasteful transformation is no less than we would expect from
our Esteemed Chair - window frames a vision in indigo, and, of course,
a pineapple on the top of the building's zigurat frontage. The 3.5 ft
glazed ceramic pineapple was made by ceramicist Kate Malone, renowned
for her luscious interpretations of fruits and undersea things.
Urban
Art Update
Debenhams has been undergoing a refurbishment due for completion by
the end of October. As part of the Northern Quarter Public Art Scheme,
the Association has negotiated with Debenhams to refurbish and bring into
use the previously unused windows on the Tib Street side of Debenhams.
The scheme includes new lighting, paving and security grills, and the
shop windows will be replaced and opened up for use as exhibition space.
Window displays will be co-ordinated by Comme Ca PR agency, who have been
instrumental in staging the MART 99 exhibition throughout October. Ceramic
murals: more beautification on Tib St with a cute ceramic cupid by Helen
Kirkpatrick and ironed-out ambulance, police car and motorbike by Lois
Blackburn, her usual batik style translated into ceramic.
Urban
Jungles
Urban Jungles is a project thought up by a small group of NQA members,
which aims to improve the local environment by making it cleaner, safer
and more inviting for public use. Although N/4 has no major pieces of
land available for use as a full-size park, there are a number of obvious,
and many not so obvious sites, which would be vastly improved by a process
of 'greening' - for example, there are a number of small areas around
the Church St carpark which are currently unused and scruffy. The project
aims to apply the innovative approach which is the hallmark of the Northern
Quarter, to the design and transformation of such sites. As a site for
a pilot project for Urban Jungles, we have selected the area around
the substation on the corner of Tib St/Hilton St as a spot that could
be used much more positively, and could generally do with a bit of TLC.
Local residents and businesses are invited to contribute ideas and comments
to the scheme. Landscape architect, Steve Martlew, is currently drawing
up some preliminary drawings, which will be presented for consultation
on ??? November @ ?? If you are interested but not able to attend, ring
Lorna at NQA office on 834 5143. Also, from now until the end of February,
Steve will be drawing up a 'feasibility study' for extending the project
to a number of sites throughout the Northern Quarter. The study will
identify suitable sites and come up with a design strategy. Of course,
your input to the process is essential, and there will be open brainstorming
and feedback sessions as the strategy develops.
Recycling
feedback
Thankyou, thankyou to all you lovely people who returned the questionnaire.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the positive response, the result
of which will be the establishment of a recycling site in the not-too-distant
future. A final decision on the site has not been made - there are still
two possibilities under consideration, and it is a matter of how to
reconcile the comments: too far away / too near to residential.
Job
Advert
Administrator Manchester Business Consortium Ltd is looking for an
Administrator to maintain a database of property in the Eastside Regeneration
area in order to provide information on property and investment opportunities
for the business community. The candidate wiull respond to enquiries,
mainly be telephone, but also at events, therefore, excellent communication
skills are essential. Experienceof managing a database is essential. As
well as a sound background in general administration and good keyboard
skills, the candidate must be experienced in organising meetings and taking
minutes. This is an 18 month fixd term contract; Monday to Friday, 9 am
to 5 pm; salary: £14,000 pa. Please send CV to Doreen Phelan, MBC Ltd,
1st floor, Fourways House, 18 Tariff St, M1 2EP. Closing date for applications:
20 October 1999.
Earth
Opens in the Northern Quarter!
"Can I describe my cooking? It is neither
eastern nor western, it is cooking of here and now." Vimalabandhu, Head
Chef. Earth is a new cafe opening on Monday 25 October beneath the Manchester
Buddhist Centre, providing quality vegetarian food in a friendly and
peaceful atmosphere. Run by a team of Buddhists, the cafe aims to provide
a high standard of service and care - for the food, for customers and
for the environment. Food is not just about what we eat - it's also
about where it comes from, who grew it, what effect it has on the people
and places where it is produced, how it is cooked, served and presented
- all of these things count towards the overall experience. Earth aims
to create an ethical approach to food, while at the same time producing
meals that are delicious to eat and economically priced. All teas and
coffees will be fair-traded and organic. All fresh vegetables used in
the cafe will be organic, seasonal and from local sources, wherever
possible. Earth provides a subtle and relaxing ambience in which to
meet friends and enjoy simple food, well-cooked. From decor to detergents,
attention to detail in all areas means that the ecological choice is
made wherever possible. With an inspired and imaginative Indonesian
chef, trained in Paris, and a highly motivated team ready to put their
principles into practice, for healthy, delicious and affordable food
in a relaxed atmosphere, Earth represents an important new contribution
to the life of the Northern Quarter. "Earth is different - we care about
what we are doing and the difference shows." Earth, 16-20 Turner St;
tel: 834 1996, 12-7 Monday to Saturday.
Scrawl:
Dirty Graphics & Strange Characters
Scrawl: Dirty Graphics & Strange Characters 7 October - 28 November
@ Arc Gallery Store & Dry Bar Scrawl is the largest collection of graffiti,
street art, doodles and graphics in one place this side of the Atlantic,
including a series of talks by some participating artists. The exhibition
takes its title from the recent Booth-Clibborn publication of the same
name. More information: 831 7454; www.state51.co.uk/arc-art
MART
99: new
venues on Thomas Street
Mart 99 is celebration of visual art made in Manchester, 14 projects,
45 artists, in a variety of venues throughout the city for the month
of October. Imaginative use of new venues in n/4:
39-41 Thomas St: 11-5, Tues-Sun; Fast Food
Revolution: an interactive installation by Kwong Lee and Surfaced by
Adele Roberts and John Stephens
11-5 Tues-Sun; The Flood; artists: Peter
Cliff, Andrew McDonald, Paul Needham, David Osbadeston Binks Building,
30-32 Thomas St; 11-5 Tues-Sun; Northern
Light; images of Manchester by Jan Chlebik and Liam Spencer 8 Dorsey
St (off Tib St); 11-5 Tues-Sun; The Scheme of Things by Nick Jordan
Band on the Wall; 12 & 13 Oct; 7.30pm:
Stalking Histories Animated: the photographer Mend and his lovely assistant
Colly Boy present an illustrated electure exploring eugenics, ethnic
cleansing and the panacea of classification: Sex, Love, Lies & Photography;
tickets available from Mart office: 834 2220
Chinese Arts Centre,
Edge St; Mon-Fri 10.30-4.30 / Sat 10-4; Works on Paper by Amanda
Fyfe.
There are also a number of 'family-friendly' workshops, including at
the Chinese Arts Centre, Sat 9 and 23 October;
call Denise on 834 2220 for more information.
For further information: hotline: 07747 054888; website: www.mart.org.uk
Shush
Shh ... Shush at Newton Street Gallery 50 Newton
St; Mon-Sun 12-6pm Exhibition 1: 10-13 October;
Exhibition 2: 15-18 October;
Exhibition 3: 20-23 October
Shush is a series of exhibitions of work by new artists being held at
the Newton Street Gallery, running concurrently and in conjunction with
the Shh... exhibition at Islington Mill, Salford and Festival of Briton
music programme being held at the Briton's Protection pub.
Shush will consist of three exhibitions over a two week period showing
the work of six artists at an early stage of their careers, with the work
ranging from audio sculpture to the more conventional disciplines of sculpture
and painting.
The final exhbition of the prgram will be the first entirely site specific
work created for the space, 'Negative Ends and Adccidental Images' by
Helen Rimmer. Throughout the program other new works by artists working
in the Newton Street studios will be exhibited in the second space. For
further details, contact the Newton Street Gallery on 237 5668 or at www.matta.u-net.com/shh
"What's
New Pussycat?"
New night at Bar Centro with DJ Max Oblivion (Tiger Lounge) and host
Sputnik Monroe; groovy tunes visuals and more - "Parisian Elegance meets
English Camp" [yes, that's what it says]. Wednesdays from 6 October,
8 till 12
Grapple
with Your Grapes Wine Quiz
Phew, that sounds
scary! But that's exactly why the lovely deli people Love Saves the
Day have organised a "Grapple with your Grapes" wine quiz as a fun way
to learn more about - and taste! - the world of wine - combining the
expert knowledge of the wine master with wine tasting. Sounds like a
great evening out. Thursday, 14 October, 7-8 pm. Places are limited,
tickets are £4 - more info and tickets available from Love Saves the
Day, Smithfield Buildings, Tib St; tel: 832 1666; fax: 834 1144
The
Big Issue
Thursday, 14
October, 6pm at The Big Issue, 135-141 Oldham St There will be an open
meeting in order for residents and businesses in the Northern Quarter
to discuss issues around homelessness. Come along and find out more
about the work of the Big Issue in the North.
Farmers'
Market
For those of
you who discovered the wonders of fresh, good quality meat and cheese
on High Street last month - the next one is on 9 October and then regularly
on the second Saturday of each month: 13 November and 11 December. The
market is open from 9am to 4pm. Around 20 stalls, set up in front of
the Old Fish Market facade on High Street, sell a wide range of locally
produced meat and dairy products, flowers and fresh herbs. The market
is an initiative jointly organised by Ician, the developers of the Smithfield
site, Manchester City Council and the Farmers' Union.
This
Bulletin:
Goes out first week of every month. If you've got an event or news item
you want included, send to Lorna by the end of previous month. We can
also send out leaflets (not too heavy) in our mailing to over a hundred
Northern Quarter Association members. Also, contact us if you would
like more copies of this bulletin.
northern quarter assocation
1st & 2nd Floor, 100-102 High Street, Manchester
M4 1HP;
tel: 834 5143; fax: 819 1430; e-mail: Sarah.NQA@good.co.uk;
www.nqn.org.uk
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